STATE CHAMPS! Pirates finish what they started, make Hudson-history

by Siri Olsen  

Photo courtesy of ‘Shots by Dev’ by Devin Baas

The Pirates became the first state champions in program history after winning the title in a penalty-kick shootout. The Hudson girls soccer team made history over the weekend, capturing the first state championship in program history with a dramatic penalty-kick victory over rival Denver in the Class 1A title match.

The Pirates earned their spot in the championship game Friday with a 1-0 double-overtime victory over A-P in a semifinal that was postponed one day because of rain.

The match remained scoreless through regulation and the first overtime before senior Gia Baldiviezo delivered the breakthrough. Just 20 seconds into the second overtime, Baldiviezo scored the golden goal to send Hudson to the state championship.

The Pirates relied on a complete team effort to advance, including a standout performance from freshman goalkeeper Charlee Austin, who recorded 18 saves to preserve the shutout. Junior Taylor Davis was named the Kwik Star Player of the Game.

Less than 24 hours later, Hudson returned to the field to face Denver for the Class 1A championship.

The matchup carried extra significance for the Pirates’ seniors. As freshmen, they defeated Denver to qualify for the state tournament. Last season, Hudson’s title hopes ended in a double-overtime loss to the Cyclones in the state semifinals. Denver had also defeated the Pirates twice during the regular season.
Saturday’s championship proved to be worth the wait.

Neither team could break through during regulation, and a lightning delay interrupted the first overtime period before the teams battled through a second overtime scoreless.

The state championship was ultimately decided by penalty kicks.
After Denver converted its first attempt, Hudson answered with successful kicks from Baldiviezo and Davis. Austin then made a key save before converting her own penalty kick. Sophomore Taylor Junker added another successful attempt as the Pirates secured a 4-1 advantage in the shootout to claim the state title.
Austin again played a major role in the victory, recording 15 saves and earning Kwik Star Player of the Game honors.

The Pirates also overcame adversity during the championship match when freshman Cailin Stickfort was carted off the field in the first half. She later returned to witness Hudson’s historic victory.

Three Pirates earned Class 1A All-Tournament Team honors: senior Callie Stickfort, junior Taylor Davis and senior Gia Baldiviezo, who was selected as the team captain.

“Words are hard still,” head coach Ashley Smiley said. “But I am ultimately proud and grateful to reach this accomplishment. This team never gave up and played for one another all season.”

The celebration continued after the final whistle.
Members of the Hudson Police Department and Hudson Fire Department escorted the state champions through town as the community welcomed the team home.
For a senior class whose season-long motto was “Finish what you started,” the ending could not have been more fitting.

After years of hard work and perseverance, the Pirates did exactly that, becoming the first girls soccer state champions in Hudson history.